1. Improving Reading from the District Office: Motivating, Monitoring, and Maximizing Learning Through the Renaissance Learning Lighthouse Project
Butler County Schools, Greenville, Alabama
Mike Looney, Superintendent
Rita Wright, Assistant Superintendent C&I

2. Butler County School District
Demographics
7 Schools
3,450 Students K-12
61% Minority
78% F/R Lunch
Total 268 Certified Staff
August 2005
August 2008
5/7 Schools in School Improvement
District in Improvement
AYP still an issue
1/7 Schools in SI
Special Ed
Gains in Reading for Every Subgroup in Grades 3-8

3. Renassiance Lighthouse Project
Invitation Only
Designed to provide extra support to districts willing to serve as ‘best practice’ sites for Renaissance Products
Expectation of exemplary implementation and support for AR
Also pilot new products, help with ‘debugging’, etc.

4. Why Accelerated Reader?
Past Experiences in other Districts
Research Base
Time Spent Reading
Guided Reading
Motivating Students
Accountability
Center Time
Reduce ‘down’ time

5. Implementation Challenges
Past AR Practices in District
‘Using AR’ for years with no gains
No Expectation of GUIDED reading
No training in Best Practices, Power Lessons, etc.
Change to RenPlace
Time and Money
‘Wasting’ Instructional Time
Printing TOPS Reports
Library Access EVERY day
High Schools!
Had AR and ‘used it’ for years with no noticable improvement.

6. Overcoming Challenges
Monitoring
Dashboard
Walkthroughs
Motivating
Incentives
Trips
Cookouts
AR supplies
Stipends
Recognition s
Newsletter
Professional Development!
Clear Expectations from District
Discuss in Administrator Meetings
Review Data
Curriculum Pacing Guides / GPMEI
Required Reading (5 books per 9 weeks)
Power Lessons aligned
Provide Resources
Ink/paper
Power Lesson Books
Library Funds

7. Components SEL/Star Assessments Goal Setting GUIDED Reading
Monitored Reading
Motivation for students AND teachers
Accountability for results

8. Implementation Professional Development
Clear Expectations from District
Discuss in Administrator Meetings
Review Data
Curriculum Pacing Guides / GPMEI
Required Reading (5 books per 9 weeks)
Power Lessons aligned
Provide Resources
Ink/paper
Power Lesson Books
Library Funds

9. Challenges of AR Past AR Practices in District Time and Money
‘Using AR’ for years with no gains
No Expectation of GUIDED reading
Focus on points not reading improvement
No training in Best Practices, Power Lessons, etc.
Change to RenPlace
Time and Money
‘Wasting’ Instructional Time
Printing TOPS Reports
Library Access EVERY day
High Schools!
Had AR and ‘used it’ for years with no noticable improvement.

10. Relationship of AR to Goals
Maximizing
Student reading achievement increasing
Monitoring
Dashboard
Walkthroughs PD
Motivating
Incentives
Trips
Cookouts
AR supplies
Stipends
Recognition s
Newsletter

11. READING volume increase Reading Achievement increase
Positive Impact of AR
READING volume increase
Reading Achievement increase
‘Friendly’ competition
Positive parental involvement
Home Connect

15. Data and Success Indicators

20. Implementation Gains 22 45 54 14 16 37 2 4 1 2005-2006 2006-2007
Aug – Dec
YTD
Notes
Model Classrooms 22 45 54
29 1st time
16 2nd year
2 HS Teachers
Master Classrooms 14 16 37
Model Library 2 4
Master Library
Model School 1
RLA
MCK 100% K-7
Master School
Really only 1 full year of RenPlace. Full Implementation January 07 so just 2 semesters of data.
Only 1 teacher who was certified last year has not recertified (others left district)

21. 1st – 3rd are over 45 minutes per day.
By the Numbers
Notes
Quizzes Passed
36,793
87,902
August to December
STAR Tested
2867
3048
Engaged Reading Time
K-8 ~ 16
9-12 ~ 4
K /31
/14
1st – 3rd are over 45 minutes per day.
Success Index
September 41%
March 63%
September 55%
December 71%
Books per student
August to March 28
August to Dec. 26
Really only 1 full year of RenPlace. Full Implementation January 07 so just 2 semesters of data.

26. Classroom Responders Available for every school
Provided training on use in classroom
Modeling use in faculty meetings, professional development, board meetings
Increase in student engagement
Used for
Discussion
assessment

27. Rita Wright, Assistant Superintendent Rita.wright@butlerco.k12.al.us
Questions? Contact Information
Rita Wright, Assistant Superintendent